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Sunday, November 27, 2016

I will come right out and say it, I love to stay in a luxury hotel. But what I dont have is enough funds, so I always looking for ways to save. Generally, there are 3 ways to ethically do this.

1. Research

2. Aviation of the best offers

3. By leveraging hotel loyalty programme

As someone who love to travel around, as well as being a travel blogger, I make a good research hahaha!This was my first time traveled to Indonesia, Bali. I wanted to stay somewhere private, relax and cheap, ideally a private villa. This is how I came to love Agoda.com, a platform that allow travelers to book discounted hotel rooms.

So like I've mentioned, It's a 4 persons trip and I spent only a total of RM438 staying in three different luxury private villa, Bali @ 5 days 4 nights. How do I find cheap hotels in Bali? Here's my tips!

The first 2 nights : Astana Batu Belig, Kerobokan

The first villa I booked on Agoda in Seminyak, conveniently located for a beach trip and priced at just RM815 for 2 nights. When I found Astana, I not only got my wish staying in a private villa, but also the best services I ever seen. It's within walking distance to the BatuBelig beach, the rooms are equipped with facilities and amenities such as private swimming pool, huge bath tub, safety box, free Wifi and etc.At first glance, it was a beautiful and luxurious suite.

Check out the the bathroom! Omg the bath tub!

However there's some incident happened here. Four of us were dragging our suitcases to the hotel at 10pm. But the moment I checked in, I was told that there's only one king size bed for 2 persons. As soon as I found out I was very frustrating, knowing that we would need 2 beds for 4 persons, so I booked Astana because of the website written: 1 king size bed and 2 queen size bed. I requested to talk to the manager. What happened next surprised me, he listened to my story and he apologized again. He admitted his mistake and that he will contact the Agoda to ensure it doesn't happen to the next guest.Already, I was cooling off a bit. By the end the services were good and professional. It was a great experience indeed.

We caught a ferry to the island, Nusa Lembongan. It was a little "uncivilized" but also the most peaceful and relaxing place you could wish for. It was an ideal place for snorkeling or diving activities, one of the reason we came here was to dive. So we spent 1 night here at stayed at Twin Island Villa, RM156 per night. Situated on the south end of the island with panoramic views overlooking the ocean view, a place that enable you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is what an island living about.

Hello, meet my room!

I never stayed in a room like this. It's a wooden structure villa with a nice balcony view, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Initially I was expecting a cluster of shops and bars, just like KohLipe Island, but unfortunately there's only a few restaurants along the shore. To reach Twin Island, you'll have to take the shuttle car and go through a "jungle" which takes around 10 mins to arrive. And one thing, the road rough to get to the villa. Yes I know most roads there aren't great, but this was next level lolllll...

Snacks and beer, anyone?The mini fridge was stocked with everything from carbonated drinks and beers.

The bathroom comes with toiletries such as shampoo, towers , toothbrush shower-cap and etc. I love the ambient so peaceful.

Our days were mainly spent diving, sitting at the pool side, or exploring the island. Nothing much to do. There's a few hidden gems which you can go and visit such as Dream Beach, and The Blue Lagoon. I recommend you to ask a local how to get to these amazing places, in case you are lost!

If you are looking for great food, you can dine in Sunrise Hut's Lembongan, its just 5 mins walking distance.

The last and the best villa!! I will save the best for the next post, because it's too much to share with you guys! A very luxurious,minimalistic and modern hotel which is smartly designer in terraces. So.....

Please stay tuned for the next post! :)

Tips: 4 persons are just nice for a Bali trip! You can share the accommodation fees and meanwhile you all get to stay in a very luxury rooms! Happy travel guys :)

Saturday, November 26, 2016

People always say the grass is greener on the other side,
just like people always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances.
Is that true? I don’t know yet because I’ve
never been to Japan, not even once. In so many ways I wish I could just be an
ordinary girl who travel to this place and escape from the reality. I used to dream
of moving to Japan or about seeing the world
with just a backpack.

I want to travel to Japan, to live it, to
taste the experience to the utmost, and to explore everything new. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, I don’t want to learn about the country from
Google, I don’t want to see the pictures of Japan from Internet. Sometimes, it’s
just not enough.

Be there! Be there and try out their Japanese cuisine made with
world class Japanese ingredients, toast with sparkling sake, visit the
impressive Kabukiza, do a kimono fitting, to check out the unparalleled
mass transit system and many more that I can count. They have things we don’t
usually have in Malaysia, such as the coolest vending machine. How about the
toilet in Japan? Can a toilet really be bucket list worthy? In this case, yes! I have totally no idea how ‘s the toilet work as a spa for your private parts. And this is the reason why I should be there to experience it, instead of imagination. Japan is big and
urban, I love the feeling of being anonymous in a city I’ve never been before.

5 signs you've never been to Japan

You don't know these toilet are surprisingly advanced, music can be play to relax the user's sphincter

You haven't tried the best salmon in Japan

You haven't enjoy the fresh Maki and sushi in a traditional wood sushi house decor

You never wore a kimono before

You never seen a sakura

Noooooooo. I got all the signs........I NEVER BEEN TO A JAPAN

For me. What Japan really is?

A place where Totoro, Pikachu were born! A place with sushi. That's all

And the reality is, Japan is a lot more than that!

If you have one last chance, you must at least go once in a lifetime.

What if I was given a chance by Traveloka to travel to Japan, here are the things I'd like to do:

Travel with my best friend and sharing our inspiration, check out the most beautiful Japanese Cherry Blossom: Sakura! #Friendshipgoals

Sky diving in Japan

Try out their spa and public bathing as Japan is a volcanically active country with an abundance of natural hot springs

I will be doing a short film and video recording all the places I've been in Japan/ new things I get to explore.

#bucket list 1

We made it once in London, so hopefully we are going to make it in Japan

#freindshipgoal

#bucket list 2

Out of all the trips I’ve taken over the past few years, I’ve
always wanted to go to Japan. Now I get to, because Traveloka is organizing a contest. Not to mention how excited I am when I first saw the contest slogan:” You need
a holiday lah”. The first thought came
into my mind: “Yeah I do and I must get my
bucket list done before the end of the year if I want to get off to the right
start in 2017!

Unlike everyone else, I am a writer. I write with my passion, lots about my adventures and thoughts, those place I've been and I will be. I was hopping Japan are my next destination and I write what inspires the truth in others :) So if you want to know more about Japan, if you want to check out whether the grass are same shade of green or greener, let's hope I got selected as the winner for #MyTravelokaEscapade :)

Sunday, October 23, 2016

I have so much to share about my adventures and it would be impossible to write everything within one article. So yeah, welcome to my Part 2!

Lets start off with the London's city. As everyone knows, Big Ben, London Bridge, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace are commonly known as those famous tourist attraction. And many tend to forget other hidden gems in London that you should actually go and explore! To make your trip truly unforgettable, check out some other places that people don't even know they were existing. Bucket list:

1. Sky GardenA very spacious rooftop garden, and I found the panoramic view of London to be stunning from up there. There was also a cafe bar serving tea, coffee, cocktails with some pastries and muffins available too. There's something very rare to enjoy this view with a fabulous drink, you would be crazy if you miss this.So if you are considering to visit the Shard or the London eye, seriously consider SkyGarden as your alternative option. It is free admission, not to mention you have to book online in advance. Click https://skygarden.london/ for your booking slot.

I wandered around the semi-tropical greenhouse garden, it was very refreshing. After months of cold weather, summer is finally here! London is now bask with glorious sunshine. Look at those green plants everywhere, I had wondered how long the indoor plants can last before they dying off? How often the plants should be watered? Are they using in-house watering system? hahahha dumb questions.

Sky Garden they offer everything from cocktails to cookies, cakes, muffins, croissants and many more. Mouthwatering just by looking at the food now, bring me back please :( I opted for an orange juice costing me around 3 to 5 pounds, no doubt it was mildly expensive.

2. Portobello Road

-Beautiful colored row house-

One of the many questions I am asked is where I visit those colorful painted houses in London? Well it is located along the Portobello Road, all the magical colorful houses lining the way. The main tube station is Notting Hill Gate, which is easily accessibly via the Central circle and District lines. When I was last there, I stumbled upon these pretty houses and I couldn't resist the stunning muted pastel colors. Its easily one of my favorite London Street, and I wouldn't mind living there forever :)

This is where the trouble came in. When I travel alone,how do I get photos of myself? So I asked a stranger to do me a favor. But 9 times out of 10, the candid is very upsetting LOL. A lesson learned, DO NOT get a strangers to take you a photo. Anyway, they were nice to stop and help me out. I'd appreciated so much, thank you :)

Portebello Market

Address: Portobello Road, 72 Tavistock Road, London W11 1AN

Public Transport: Ladbroke Grove Station

3. Little Venice

Just as it's name suggest, Little Venice look exactly like the Italian's city, with all those colorful canals and typical houseboats. Whilst there, you can talk a walk or either take a boat trip along the canal. It is a short walk from the tube Station ( Warwick Avenue) to Little Venice, around 5 mins. There were several restaurant and cafes to eat along the way.

When I lived in London I used to dream of living in a houseboat lol.... and I still do.. Wish I own one of them.